The Neuropeptide α-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Prevents Persistent Corneal Edema Following Injury

Overview

Journal Am J Pathol

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Pathology

Date 2023 Oct 12

PMID 37827217

Authors

Hamid Alemi

Shudan Wang

Tomas Blanco

Francesca Kahale

Rohan B Singh

Gustavo Ortiz

Aytan Musayeva

Erdem Yuksel

Kunpeng Pang

Neha Deshpande

Thomas H Dohlman

Ula V Jurkunas

Jia Yin

Reza Dana

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs) regulate corneal hydration and maintain tissue transparency through their barrier and pump function. However, these cells exhibit limited regenerative capacity following injury. Currently, corneal transplantation is the only established therapy for restoring endothelial function, and there are no pharmacologic interventions available for restoring endothelial function. This study investigated the efficacy of the neuropeptide α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in promoting endothelial regeneration during the critical window between ocular injury and the onset of endothelial decompensation using an established murine model of injury using transcorneal freezing. Local administration of α-MSH following injury prevented corneal edema and opacity, reduced leukocyte infiltration, and limited CEnC apoptosis while promoting their proliferation. These results suggest that α-MSH has a proregenerative and cytoprotective function on CEnCs and shows promise as a therapy for the prevention and management of corneal endothelial dysfunction.

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